We thank a combination of Google & Pinterest for sending us lovely inquiries that develop into friendship. Most recently a reader stumbled into our arms via the local Southern Pines Split Level Before and After that we shared a ways back by our friend Sean Butler.
Need Help!
Could you give me some design help. We are painting our very lackluster 1960 split-level. My neighborhood is full of very big homes, ours is by far the smallest and all of the homes are some version of white or cream. I need to make my home look Happy and much prettier! I am wondering if you could give me a suggestion for paint, trim and shutter color. Thanks sooooo much greatly appreciate it! Barbara
Here is the home in question:
You can see that some patch work is happening, but an overhaul/renovation is not in the cards. At the moment, the homeowner is looking for some tips on paint colors and landscaping ideas to improve the overall look of the home.
The front yard has a nice grade, and we think they are lucky to be sporting a garage on the side of the home, instead of the front. But it looks like the best opportunity for creating a face on the home is covered up by foliage that might have looked better on the other side of the home.
If it were me, here’s what I’d be thinking about this punch list:
- Paint it a bright modern and clean white
- Paint all the shudders, trim and rain gutters matte black, but build a thicker window trim
- Increase the width of the trim around all of the windows. Paint that new wide trim white
- Maybe a stone application could be added to the lower section for a visual distinction and to provide a nice backdrop for the gardening
- Increase the size and shape of those bottom windows
- Remove the greenery that is directly blocking the front door.
- Next level, consider building a centered portico with gable over the front door with a more impressive set of columns for the face of the home.
It’s not simple job, but the right angles could really transform the look of this split-level. - Landscaping-wise, I’d create a boxwood hedge all along the bottom portion, below the window of the living area to the left of the front door facing.
- We love the idea of turning that window in a larger picture window in a set of 3.
- I think there is a chimney off to the left there behind that weepy pine. Paint it
Here are a few images to consider for exterior paint schemes on this particular split level.
If the black, white & wood modern country thing isn’t your jam, here’s some wild split-level transformation inspiration for a major overhaul. Turn your split-level into a Craftsman. It works.
